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Health & Fitness

OPRFHS 2-27-14

Oak Park River Forest High School Board

February 27, 2014

Mary Haley, Observer

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Present: John Phelan- President, Jeff Weissglass-Vice President, Sharon Patchak-Layman, Ralph Lee, Jackie Moore, Steve Gevinson, and Tom Cofsky

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President Phelan called the meeting to order at 7:38 p.m.

 

Public Comments:  Naomi Hildner, an OPRF faculty member, expressed her views about the district’s strategic plan.  She believes the goals are banal and are no different from the goals and action steps that have been set over the last twenty years.  She called on the board to take some immediate steps:  hire more social workers to assist the disenfranchised students and decrease class size so teachers are able to provide more differentiated instruction.

Dr. Barbara Langer requested that the board work with the Oak Park and River Forest Park Districts to make the OPRF swimming pool available from 5:00 – 7:00 a.m. for adult lap swimming at a cost consistent with the park districts’ charges.

 

Introductory Reports:  Joey Cofsky, the Student Council Liaison, reported that he met with Principal Rouse to discuss a problem with 1st period tardies.  Students who arrive a few minutes late have to wait in line to get a pass admitting them to their classes.  Because of how slowly the passes are issued, some students actually arrive in class after the grace period ends and receive a detention.  Principal Rouse and Joey are working to find a solution for the remainder of the year.

Dr. Isoye reported on the many student achievements since the last board meeting.  Among these were Emery Lehman’s participation in the Sochi Olympics and the World Junior Speed Skating Championship, the showing at the Lake Theater of Cosmo Coffey’s documentary, “Grit”, and the successes of individual OPRF wrestlers and swimmers at the state meets.  Three students qualified for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam, and seven students won scholarships and/or awards at the Illinois High School Regional Art Exhibition.

 

Consent Items:  All items were passed.  There was discussion over approval of textbook bids and textbooks for 2014-2015.  Mrs. Patchak-Layman asked if physical books could replaced with electronic or CD-ROM versions.  She cited cost, textbook weight, and use of technology as reasons for this consideration.  Philip Prale, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Mike

Carioscio, Chief Information Officer, explained that the district is working on plans to make this possible, but there are some obstacles to implementing this change immediately.  The item was passed by a vote of 6-1.

 

Action Items:  Dr. Isoye presented a proposal for data sharing (IGA) among Triton Community College, high school feeder schools, elementary districts, and private schools.  The purpose of the sharing would be to facilitate study of what is needed in developing curriculum and programs.  Dr. Isoye stated that no personal student information would be shared.  He has studied how similar programs are working at Elgin and Harper Community Colleges.  The board approved the proposal unanimously.

Dr. Isoye also discussed the Rising Star Report, a state mandated planning tool to measure continuous improvement.  Dr. Isoye believes this tool can also be used to evaluate progress in implementing the strategic plan.

 

Information:  The district is offering vision insurance to faculty and staff.  Participation is voluntary, and there is no cost to the district.  The board is weighing the costs and benefits of applying for IASB governing recognition.

Tod Altenburg, CFO, reported that the most recent enrollment update projects a gradual increase until the district reaches a peak enrollment in 2020 of 3,900 students.  The board agreed that it is time to start planning for this growth in terms of staffing, facility size, etc.  This planning must include how to downsize after 2020 when enrollment is projected to decrease.

 

The regular meeting was temporarily adjourned in order to call a special board meeting to consider a change in the collective bargaining agreement.  As it currently reads, faculty planning to retire in the next six years must notify the district by March 1, 2014.  Because of the uncertainty generated by the recent legislation passed in Springfield, the faculty requested that the date be moved to April 1, 2014 as a one time only change.  The board voted 6-1 in favor of the change.  Sheila Hardin, the Faculty Senate representative, thanked the board.

 

The Special board meeting was adjourned at 9:26; the regular board meeting immediately reconvened, and was adjourned at 9:28.  The board then moved into closed session.

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